The Book of Acts: Discipleship in Action Pt. 2 The Glorious Ascension of Christ.

We are seeing discipleship in action as we start our studies in the book of Acts.  We compared the introduction of Luke's gospel with his introduction to the Book of Acts. This gives us more background for the texts we are learning about.

The Disciple's Question

Acts 1:6  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 

The believers were assembled and Jesus' disciples asked the Lord about when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. This was an understandable question in light of the Roman empire's dominance in the ancient world. 

Also, the church age at this point in time was still a mystery that was hid in Christ. 

Christ's answer: The Father is in control.

Act 1:7,8  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Jesus' reply to their question about the kingdom makes it clear that the Father in heaven will do all things according to His timetable and according to His purposes. 

The word "times" refers to time far in the future and time that is present. 

The word "seasons" means a fixed and definite time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for and spoken of by the prophets. 

Jesus stated very clearly that the disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. When that happened, they would take the gospel to Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. 

We see how perfect the plans of God are. The Roman empire enforced the "pax Romana" or Roman peace with strict laws and swift punishment to evil doers. Roman law and law enforcement helped make it possible to spread the gospel. 

Roman aqueduct still in use. 

Roman engineers were remarkable and many of the aqueducts and roads they designed are still used today. Roman roads are similar to our interstate highways in that they connected and unified the empire and the people. 

The apostles and disciples traveled those well built roads and this greatly aided the spread of the gospel.

Also, Greek culture and Hellenism was promoted by Rome to unify the various nations that they subdued. Greek became the dominant language of business and became the language for the New Testament texts. 

God's timing is always perfect and in this case, things were ready for the birth of the Church and spreading the gospel of Christ into the world. 

The ascension of Jesus to the Father.

Act 1:9-11  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Luke recorded the ascension of Christ to His Father in heaven. A cloud received Him and carried Jesus to heaven. Christ's return to glory in a cloud happened slowly enough that they were able to watch Jesus leave the earth. 

His return to heaven became deeply embedded in their minds and the memory of Christ's glory would strengthen their faith and help them do the task Jesus gave them.

Two angels stood by the apostles as they watched Jesus leave. Luke used the word "behold" which suggests that the two angels appeared right at that moment when Jesus vanished from their sight. 

They immediately prompted the disciples to start working for the Lord as they were commanded. They also spoke about the rapture of the church telling the disciples that Jesus would return to this earth in the same manner (See 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 24:30; 26:64). 

Jesus ascension prompted praise and worship. 

Luke 24:50-53  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. 

As in the introduction to the Book of Acts, the end of Luke's gospel adds more context to the ascension of Jesus as recorded in Acts.

The day of Jesus' ascension, He walked with them to Bethany. The Spirit of God does not include any detail in scripture without having a purpose for them. 

Bethany is the town where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. It was the place where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and the place where Simon the leper lived. It was the place where Jesus was anointed by Mary with costly spikenard. 

Jesus lodged in Bethany several times during His earthly ministry. Bethany is the place where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount about His second coming in great power to judge the nations.

Blessing of the High Priest

Numbers 6:24-27  The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25) The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26) The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 27) And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. 

When they reached Bethany, Jesus lifted up His hands and blessed them. It is very likely it would have been the same blessing of Jehovah given by the priests in the Old Testament.

Remember, the name Jesus means Jehovah saves, and Christ is Jehovah in the flesh. 

Jesus began His ministry as the Great High Priest in heaven and this blessing from the Old Testament would have had a far richer meaning to the men who walked with Christ for three and one half years. 

The word "blessed" means to consecrate them with solemn prayers, to ask God's blessing on them and that He would use them for His purposes. 

Thus, Jesus prayed that Jehovah's face would shine upon them as it did in His transfiguration. He prayed that the grace of Jehovah would pour out upon them and that His peace would remain with them. 

After these things were done, the disciples worshipped Jesus and returned to Jerusalem with their hearts full of great joy. They spent much time in the temple praising and blessing God. 

We have spoken about "types" of Christ in the Old Testament and how they are literally fulfilled in the words, works and Person of Jesus Christ. I suspect that temple worship took on a whole new meaning for the disciples of Jesus after His ascension.

The disciples saw how each animal sacrificed pointed to what Jesus did on the cross. They knew the urgency of sharing the gospel of Christ to turn the Jewish people away from killing animals to cover their sins, and turning them to repentant faith in the blood of Jesus. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

As we begin our studies in the Book of Acts, we will see repeatedly that God's timing is always perfect. 

The Father had everything ready for the birth of Christ's Church just as He had everything prepared for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

We too, can have confidence that when it seems our prayers are unanswered, God will answer with what He deems best for us at the best time. 

Seeing Jesus return to heaven in a cloud cheered and encouraged the hearts of His disciples to praise and worship God. It should do the same for us because Jesus promised that He will come again to receive us unto Himself.

Jesus cares for and loves each one of us. He desires a relationship with all people. We who are born again must share the gospel of Christ and pray for the Holy Spirit to turn peoples hearts from sin to the truth of new life in Christ.

Our world is waxing worse and worse and hatred seems to have spread like a plague, but God is still in the business of changing lives and rescuing souls from Hell. May God be pleased to use us to reach lost people wherever we live. May we praise Him with all of our heart.

Bob